The founder chairman of SRM Group of educational institutions T R Pachamuthu was arrested in Chennai today in connection with an alleged scandal in medical admissions involving crores of rupees, police said.

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“Pachamuthu has been arrested by CCB (Central Crime Branch) sleuths,” a top police official said. Pachamuthu, whose Indiya Jananayaga Katchi (IJK) is an ally of NDA at the Centre, has been booked under IPC sections including 420 (cheating), the official said.

The Chancellor of the SRM University headquartered near here, was arrested in connection with more than 100 complaints from parents related to “transactions” involving payment of money running into several crores for getting admissions to medical courses in SRM institutions.

The parents had alleged they were duped after being promised medical seats in colleges run by the SRM Group and a case was filed by police. The film producer Madhan, who purportedly acted as an agent and collected huge sums of money from parents, is the key accused in the case and has been missing since May last.

Pachamuthu had strongly denied any link whatsoever with Madhan and said all admissions were being done transparently. When Madhan mysteriously disappeared on May 27, his family members wanted Pachamuthu to be inquired over the issue and the matter also went to Madras High Court.

The police had named Madhan, perceived to be close to Pachamuthu and his associates in the FIR on the basis of
the complaints.